Clemson Under Inquiry

AP

Published: March 30, 1982

CLEMSON, S.C., March 29—
Clemson, whose football team earned the final No.1 ranking for the 1981 season, announced today that it had received an ''official inquiry'' from the National Collegiate Athletic Association into charges of recruiting violations in the school's football program.

In a statement released by Clemson's information office, the school president, Bill L. Atchley, said that he would not comment further on the matter until the N.C.A.A. Committee on Infractions completes its investigation.

Until today's announcement, Clemson had acknowledged only that the N.C.A.A. was conducting a ''preliminary investigation'' into the charges.

The N.C.A.A. investigation was prompted by charges by two Knoxville, Tenn., high school players that a Clemson alumnus gave them money in an attempt to influence them to attend the university.

In December, lawyers for the two players filed a $12 million lawsuit against Coach Danny Ford of Clemson, the Atlantic Coast Conference and others. The athletes, recruited by Clemson and later released from scholarship applications, contended that they were offered ''illegal inducements'' on behalf of Clemson.

James Cofer and Terry Minor, the players, said Tom Breazeale, a Knoxville businessman and Clemson supporter, gave them ''Christmas gifts'' with Ford's knowledge.